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Does Whisenhunt want his 'own' quarterback for Titans?

Tennessee Titans coach Ken Whisenhunt reiterated on Thursday that he likes what he's seen from Jake Locker, but he was vague when asked if the team planned to select a quarterback in the NFL draft on May 8-10.

With the NFL draft rapidly approaching, a popular theory suggests new Titans coach Ken Whisenhunt wants his "own" quarterback.

The theory apparently hasn't made its way to Whisenhunt, who reiterated on Thursday he likes what he's seen from Jake Locker. Yet the coach was also vague when asked about the team's draft plans at the position.

"To be honest, I haven't really thought about it that way," said Whisenhunt, who replaced Mike Munchak in January. "I am excited about the little bit of time I have spent with Jake. He exhibits a lot of the qualities I like. He has been great in the meeting rooms, I like the way our exchanges have gone. So our focus is on that."

Locker has started to jog as he continues recovery from Lisfranc surgery on his right foot in November, but the fourth-year pro will be limited to stationary throwing next week when the Titans hold a three-day minicamp. Backups Charlie Whitehurst and Tyler Wilson will handle the workload.

How will the Titans approach their first NFL draft under coach Ken Whisenhunt? He talked about it on Thursday at Saint Thomas Sports Park.
Jim Wyatt / The Tennessean

Whisenhunt said the minicamp could play a big role in determining needs at several offensive and defensive positions for the draft.

Asked if the Titans would take a quarterback with one of their six picks, he said: "I don't know that I would say that. There's a lot of good football players in this draft. How the board stacks up and where we are with our team, you just don't know."

This much is certain: the Titans are checking out quarterback prospects, and they are clearly intrigued with Fresno State's Derek Carr.

They spent time with him at the Senior Bowl in January, the NFL combine in February and at Saint Thomas Sports Park earlier this month. They also sent offensive coordinator Jason Michael and quarterbacks coach John McNulty to California recently to see Carr.

The Titans have no plans to exercise the fifth-year option on Locker's contract, which makes 2014 his last chance to prove he can be the franchise quarterback after missing 14 of 32 potential starts the last two seasons with injuries.

"It is a make-or-break year for a lot of guys in the league. Jake is one of the guys," Whisenhunt said. "That is the nature of this business. He just happens to play a position that gets a lot of attention."

In addition to Carr, the Titans recently worked out Georgia's Aaron Murray, are scheduled to work out LSU's Zach Mettenberger and had Eastern Illinois' Jimmy Garoppolo in for a visit recently.

At the combine the Titans interviewed the top three QB prospects: Texas A&M's Johnny Manziel, Central Florida's Blake Bortles and Louisville's Teddy Bridgewater. Alabama's A.J. McCarron missed a visit with the Titans because he was sick, and the meeting was not rescheduled.

The Titans have the 11th and 42nd overall picks, but currently do not have a third-rounder.

"There will be a good player when we get a chance to pick, especially early in this draft, because there's a lot of good football players," Whisenhunt said. "So we'll get somebody good that will help us."

Reach Jim Wyatt at 615-259-8015 and on Twitter @jwyattsports.

Titans quarterback Jake Locker rushes on a keeper in the second half against the 49ers in Nashville Sunday, Oct. 20, 2013. (Photo: John A. Gillis/DNJ)

Titans quarterbacks Ryan Fitzpatrick (4) and Jake Locker (10) walk out to the field with offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains before the game against the Steelers at Heinz Field Sunday Sept. 8, 2013, in Pittsburgh, Pa. (Photo: George Walker IV/THE TENNESSEAN)

Titans quarterback Jake Locker watches his team from the sideline as they warm up before their game against the Chiefs at LP Field Sunday Oct. 6, 2013, in Nashville, Tenn. (Photo: George Walker IV/THE TENNESSEAN)

Titans quarterback Jake Locker (10) talks with offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains as he walks to the field before the game against the 49ers at LP Field Sunday Oct. 20, 2013, in Nashville, Tenn. (Photo: George Walker IV / THE TENNESSEA)

Titans quarterback Jake Locker (10) throws a pass as he warms up before the game against the Rams at the Edward Jones Dome Sunday Nov. 3, 2013, in St. Louis, Mo. (Photo: George Walker IV / THE TENNESSEAN)

Titans quarterback Jake Locker (10) throws a pass as he is pressured by Rams defensive end William Hayes (95) during the fourth quarter at the Edward Jones Dome Sunday Nov. 3, 2013, in St. Louis, Mo. (Photo: George Walker IV / THE TENNESSEAN)

Titans quarterback Jake Locker (10) and offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains congratulate each other for their 28 to 21 victory over the Rams at the Edward Jones Dome Sunday Nov. 3, 2013, in St. Louis, Mo. (Photo: George Walker IV / THE TENNESSEAN)

Titans quarterback Jake Locker returned to the sideline with crutches after injuring his foot during their game against the Jaguars at LP Field Sunday Nov. 10, 2013, in Nashville, Tenn. (Photo: George Walker IV / THE TENNESSEAN)

Titans quarterback Jake Locker (10) high fives Titans fans as he takes the field for warm ups before the game against the Texans at Reliant Stadium Sunday Sept. 15, 2013, in Houston, Tx. (Photo: George Walker IV / THE TENNESSEAN)

Titans quarterback Jake Locker kisses his daughter Colby as they spend time together after practice at St. Thomas Sports Park Friday July 26, 2013, in Nashville, Tenn. (Photo: George Walker IV / THE TENNESSEAN)

Country Music star Garth Brooks, left, and Titans quarterback Jake Locker talk during Jake Locker football camp at the BGA football field in Franklin, Tenn., Friday, July 12, 2013. (Photo: Jae S. Lee / The Tennessean)

Titans quarterback Jake Locker (10) rushes into the end zone for a touchdown during the second quarter against the Chargers at LP Field Sunday Sept. 22, 2013, in Nashville, Tenn. (Photo: George Walker IV/THE TENNESSEAN)

Titans quarterback Jake Locker (10) raises his hand as he is carted off the field after injuring his hip during the third quarter against the Jets at LP Field Sunday Sept. 29, 2013, in Nashville, Tenn. (Photo: George Walker IV/THE TENNESSEAN)

Titans quarterback Jake Locker (10) is carted off the field after injuring his hip during the third quarter against the Jets at LP Field Sunday Sept. 29, 2013, in Nashville, Tenn. (Photo: George Walker IV/THE TENNESSEAN)

Titans quarterback Jake Locker (10) sits contently on the bench during the fourth quarter of their preseason game against the Falcons at LP Field Saturday Aug. 24, 2013, in Nashville, Tenn. (Photo: George Walker IV/THE TENNESSEAN)

Tennessee Titans quarterback Jake Locker is carted off after a hip injury against New York Jets during the third quarter at LP Field in Nashville, Tenn., Sunday, Sept. 29, 2013. Titans won 38-13. (Photo: Jae S. Lee / The Tennessean)